Yes, you read that right. Republicans voted against the bill, resulting in a massive failure.

Early this morning the Senate voted against the Republican health care bill, Health Care Freedom Act (HCFA or “Trumpcare”) that was meant to repeal and replace Obamacare.

Only three Republicans voted against the bill, resulting in a killing blow with a final vote of 49-51. The three Republican Senators that voted against the bill were Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), John McCain (R-AZ) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK).

The bill, dubbed a “skinny repeal” would have started the process to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA or “Obamacare”) and would have left at least 16 million people uninsured and raise premiums by 20 percent.

The Republicans have faced massive challenges in repealing and replacing Obamacare, much to the disappointment of President Trump who campaigned on the promise that the ACA would be repealed and replaced right away.

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It is unclear at this point where the Republicans will go next. This bill was their latest, and seemingly last, option for a new Republican health care plan. Republicans have been rushing for months to keep the bill secretive in order to push it through as fast as possible.

The bill was supposed to pass and then be followed by several amendments in order to get the health care plan to a place Republicans were happy with. Now that the largest vote has failed, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has asked the Senate to move on.

The enormous amount of effort by the people of the United States who signed petitions, wrote letters, called their representatives and organized protests shows that any effort to repeal and replace Obamacare will not succeed without a fight.

Alexandra Jacobo is a progressive writer, activist, and mother who began her political involvement in earnest passing out blankets to occupiers in Zuccotti Park in 2011. She is concerned with educating the public and inspiring them to take action on progressive issues that promote positive change at home and abroad.

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